Leaving The Hospital

Before you are discharged, ask how care should be continued at home and write it down. Be prepared for different challenges: managing meals, cleaning incision site, care for drains and what to expect, medications and physical therapy, and calling doctors. Have the doctors name and numbers, office and after hours emergency numbers. Ask your doctor if and when you can try to get out for a daily walk, if there's someone to go with you. If complications develop and you can't reach the surgeon, have a contact person like the doctor's nurse that you can call. Or an internist, GP, etc. If you suspect a problem, trust your instincts. Do not accept "lets wait and see." Insist on a face-to-face exam.

At home, folks will want to visit. If you are eating, sleeping and healing well, and want visitors, then by all means let some come by. While they're there, try to get up and move around ask your visitors to walk with you.

Be prepared for depression to sneak up on you. It is a very normal thing to happen. Many doctors say this is common. If you notice, or your family or friends notice you are lashing out or crying after four to six weeks. This is common when people's lives have been turned upside down by a major medical event like Weright Loss Surgery. You may feel out of control and disgusted that others have to do things for you. Tell your doctor if this happens. A simple change or addition of medication can correct depression , anxiety, or even anger. Tell your family to be watchful for this to happen. You might be unaware of these changes, but they may be quick to notice a change in your emotional status.

Caring for a person after Weight Loss Surgery may necessitates them giving up their own life for a while. It could tap their reserves and is incredibly stressful. Just as it is a great help to have someone with you at the hospital, the same holds true for the first part of your recovery at home. Try to have someone come in and give your friend or family member a break, or have several take turns staying with you. They may even get cranky and tired. Even though you are the patient try to understand what this puts them through, too. You may even resent family members who didn't want to help you or left most of the caretaking to others. Don't let this roller coaster of emotions sidetrack you from your central goal which is getting back on your feet as soon as possible. Having finest medical care and staying positive will help you through your recovery.